Population explosion

"As of July 8, 2008, the world's population is believed to be approximately 6,708,700,100. In line with population projections, this figure continues to grow at rates that were unprecedented before the 20th century, although the rate of increase has almost halved since its peak of 2.2 percent per year, which was reached in 1963. The world's population, on its current growth trajectory, is expected to reach nearly 9 billion by the year 2042. China and India, are the only two countries to have a population greater than one billion, together possess more than a third of the world's population." (source, Wikipedia)

There have never been as many human beings walking this earth as there are now. We have almost overtaken the rats and cats and the birds and the fish too I think. There seems to be no consensus on population control in the world. So many point of views co-exists.

1. Keep giving birth to children as long as nature permits. Seven, eight, nine or ten. Sometimes even more. Religion says so.
   
2. Follow the contemporary social norm of a small family. Have just one or two children.
3. Be progressive and decide not to have children at all. Zero. The world can certainly do without one more human being. There are enough around. Getting under each others feet. Fighting, killing and still giving birth to 10 more!
   
4. Be selective about parentage. Be gender specific. If it is a girl child kill it. If it is a male child, give birth (I am not at all advocating it. This is a cruel and harsh practice in many communities in North India)
   

Who will decide what is right? Is it for the religious leaders to choose or the politicians as in the government. Or the mother or the father? Or lets leave it for god to decide.

Arushi Murder Case - Will there be justice?

Let me clarify. I didn't know Arushi. Nor did I know Hemraj. But now I do. Because of the exhaustive coverage of the double murder case by Media.

Almost a month and a half past the double murder in Nodia. It still remains a mystery. I have been following this case very closely. Was very hopeful when CBI took charge of this case. But now gradually the hope is fading away. There hasn't been any significant breakthrough for the CBI too in this case. At least that is what the media is presenting. I am not blaming CBI or the Noida police too. It is such a complex case!!!!And the media attention is not helping at all. Media is more spoiling the case than making it.

This case has brought out the sleuth in the common people. Everyone started thinking like a detective. This could be the case, that is how it must have happened, so and so must be the culprit....Speculations and more speculations.

But it is certainly a baffling case. Or is it that the facts/evidences have been distorted by the criminals to such an extent that the CBI too is confused and lost? There isn't any trail or evidence which can lead to the culprits. Everything has been planned and cleaned so well. If such is the case, then it is the work of some very intelligent and smart person/s. Which is not possible for a common servant. It has a higher and sharper brain behind it.

If the murders were done on the spot or spur of the moment and not planned, then how come the evidences have been destroyed so easily? Questions, questions and more questions. I want to sympathize with the parents of the young girl, but unfortunately, her parents have been presented in such poor light by the police and the media; that I am no longer sure if they are deserving of my sympathy. What if they are party to the crime?

With ever passing day the chances of a breakthrough get dim. Will Arushi and Hemraj ever get justice? Now the chances are less. May be some day natural justice will take over.

A young, innocent life lost. For no apparent reason. Very sad.

Aha! It is raining in Mumbai

Rains.....it brings back lovely memories from childhood. Rains also meant a new semester at the school. Rains in Mumbai are called the Monsoon. It lasts for about 3 months. A new semester meant a new raincoat, a new uniform and a new school bag. It also meant new friends, new teachers.....and great fun ahead. Childhood memories of rains are very sweet. Hot milk to drink, warm blankets and moist smell in the clothes.

And then I grew up. Started working. The sweet rains from childhood gradually became a torture. The magic disappeared. To get up in the morning while it was still raining and leave for work was hateful. It still is.

My beautiful Mumbai collapses under the rains now. Monsoon means disruptions, tension, muck all over the city....harassed auto rickshaw drivers, honking, pollution...the saga goes on for 3 months.

Despite all this, the optimist in me finds rains an amazing miracle! How else can you explain this tons of water falling from heavens, defying gravity....breaking into tiny droplets. Have you ever tried pouring a few metric tons of water from a height of about 40-50 thousand feet? Everything under it will get crushed by the shear weight of water. But check out the rain drops...they feel so light on our body. Isn't it a miracle? It falls so effortlessly, so gently, so chill and pure. No harm, no damage to human beings, animals or trees. My husband tells me there is a scientific explanation to it all....well there it..but it still does not answer my question....

Have you ever thought about the thousands of liters of water which evaporates into thin air and becomes rain clouds. How do these clouds hold the water? why doesn't the water leak from the clouds and spill over. Imagine a shapeless, container less cloud holding tons of water!! Try holding a few liters without a container! You can't.

Imagine life without water. Imagine life without rains. And we say where is god? God is in this miracle called rains. Year after year; season after seasons; centuries after centuries....it has been raining.

So I tell myself....forget the muck, forget the traffic jam, forget the over flowing drains....forget everything and enjoy this miracle called ....."the rains".